Try it! You will enjoy it!

flower vegetarian recipes

Peanut Butter Cauliflower Bowl with Roasted Carrots. Cauliflower tossed in peanut butter sauce and roasted, carrots tossed in hot sauce and roasted. Vegan Recipe, Gluten-free option.
You know whats better than a peanut sauce veggie stir fry or peanut sauce drizzled on a bowl? Peanut Sauce baked on Cauliflower! The PB sauce gets Concentrated on baking and you get all the amazing flavor and then more. Add the cauliflower or other veggies to a bowl with greens and roasted carrots and some more peanut sauce to dress. Damn. So good. Try it!
This bowl comes together very quickly. Blend up the peanut butter sauce (use sunbutter for nut-free), add a tbsp or so flour to thicken, dip cauliflower in the sauce and bake. Add to salad bowl, wraps, or serve as a side with grains or spiced chickpeas. Easy, Delicious, Satisfying, and fun.Continue reading: Peanut Butter Cauliflower Bowl with Roasted CarrotsThe post Peanut Butter Cauliflower Bowl with Roasted Carrots appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Best of 2017. Recipes and Posts that were popular this year. 17 Best Vegan Recipes 2017 from the blog. Garlic Sauce with Cajun Cauliflower, Scalloped Potatoes, Butter Tofu, Tiramisu Fudge Bars and more. Gluten-free options
Its that time of the year again. The date is changing and I will be writing 2017 for a few weeks before it finally settles.
Its been a busy year (The second book work pretty much took up more time than I had), but we did get a break now around the Holidays. Recharging and chilling (in the cold and snow), and excited about 2018.
135 Posts in 2017! 130 new Recipes.
140 More in a New Book (Everyday Kitchen, Sept 2017). 150 in the first book(Indian Kitchen, May 2015).!
380 posts on Instagram. Cooking on Instagram Stories. Loads of recipe remakes from blog and both the books #veganricha #veganrichasindiankitchen #veganrichaseverydaykitchen !
81 Videos on Youtube. Longer videos to come in 2018.
2018 will see more of similar flavorful food, some simple everyday recipes, some new cuisines and styles to try out new flavors and textures, some regional Indian fare (Indian sub-cuisines, so much more to learn!) with new ingredients, Instant Pot cooking, and more video types(narration, live etc). Have something you’d like me to try next year, let me know in the comments. What were your favorite posts from the blog?
Here are the top 17 posts from 2017 in order of popularity.Continue reading: 17 Best Vegan Recipes 2017The post 17 Best Vegan Recipes 2017 appeared first on Vegan Richa.

The end of the year always marks a great opportunity to think about a fresh start, try something new, and make resolutions to change your lifestyle and eating habits. Why not do something that improves your health and also helps the environment? Meatless Monday is an easy way to make a small change to your daily life that also affects the health of the planet as well as the livelihoods of local industries and farmers.
This past year has seen many people jump on the Meatless Monday bandwagon, from social media followers to celebrities, to restaurants, schools, and cities. Weve made it easy for you to join the movement by giving you a head start on the New Year. Here are the 10 most viewed Meatless Monday recipes of 2017. Try some today, and let us know what you think.
#1: Jamaican Jerk Tofu
#2: Black Bean Meatless Balls and Zucchini Noodles
#3: Cherry Tomato Pesto Penne
#4: Banana Date Smoothie
#5: Zucchini Tomato Curry
#6: Easy Veggie Lo Mein
#7: Bell Pepper Egg Rings
#8: Lentil Burgers
#9: Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese Bake
#10: Spinach Lasagna
The post Resolving to Go Meatless Monday? Here Are Our Most Popular Recipes from 2017 to Start You Off! appeared first on Meatless Monday.

The moment I placed these brownies in the oven, I started whining like a disgruntled teenager because Luise had persuaded me to only sweeten them with dates and mix a whole can of black beans into the batter. “They are going to taste like sh*t” might have been the carefully formulated phrase I used. Baking brownies was my idea to start with and I usually don’t complain about healthy desserts, but I was tired that day and my mind was set on the caramel-tasting brownies from the bakery across the street. More than the flavor, it was their texture I wanted to recreate. The crusty top and caramel fudge center that you only can achieve with sugar, butter and flour. I knew these would be far from that. And in my mind that was all Luise’s fault.
The whining escalated into a discussion (aka argument) and by the time the timer on my phone rang, things were, well, kind of tense between us. I cut off a corner piece of the baked brownie and quickly realized that they weren’t as awful as I had expected. Of course when Luise asked me, I did what any 36-year old teenager would do and grunted: “They were okay I guess”. In reality, they were actually pretty good. They didn’t have that crusty texture or typical sugar taste but they were still sweet, gooey but not heavy, chocolatey, energy packed and rich. I added frosting to make them a little more sassy - using dates as sweetener and avocado and coconut oil for an ultra lush and creamy consistency. They turned out really beautiful and jam-packed with good stuff. Rather than a dessert, I’d say that this is more like an energy bar-style brownie, and I found myself sneaking back to the fridge several times that day for another bite.
We’re sharing the recipe and some notes below. But first, check out this little video from our youtube channel where we demonstrate how to make them.
Since that first batch of brownies, there have been at least six more batches. A few vegan attempts and various flavor and texture variations. I have gathered a few notes that might come useful in case you want to give them a try.
- We use very soft fresh dates that we buy in card board boxes and they are pretty affordable compared to loose weight or medjool dates. Sizes differ so use a scale if you want to be exact.
- If you can’t find fresh dates you can use dried dates that you soak in water for a couple of hours. Drain the water before mixing. However, I wouldn’t use dried dates for the frosting as they need the dates to be super soft to achieve a smooth consistency. Try maple syrup instead.
- If you arent used to sugar free desserts, you can add a couple of tablespoons maple syrup, honey or sugar to the batter. We have tried this recipe both with and without additional sweetening and they taste good both ways. It all depends on what you are used to and your expectations are.
- We use a quite mild olive oil and it works really well with the chocolate flavor (not strong at all). However, if you don’t like olive oil, you can use, coconut oil, rapeseed oil or butter instead.
- We have also tried a vegan, egg-free version using aquafaba (chickpea water) that we are sharing at the bottom of the recipe. We also tried making aquafaba using black bean water (because it’s a rest product of the beans in the recipe). It didn’t firm up as much when whisked but it did work as a binder. However, it looked kinda gross and added more bean flavor so we decided to stick with chickpea water instead.
- We add coffee to the frosting to disguise the avocado flavor. If you dont like coffee, you can use almond butter or peanut butter instead to give it a flavor twist.
- Sea salt flakes are great on top and we love the salt + chocolate combo, but desiccated coconut would also look good.
- If you are allergic to nuts, you can mix toasted sunflower seeds into a flour and use instead of almond flour. And use pumpkin seeds instead of walnuts.
Black Bean Brownie Bites with Chocolate Avocado Frosting
Makes 24 bites
These taste sweet but not overly so, see notes above if you prefer to make them sweeter. Vegan version below.
20 soft dates (approx 230 g /­­ 8 oz)
1 1/­­2 cup /­­ 185 g cooked black beans (rinsed)
1/­­2 cup /­­ 125 ml olive oil or other neutral oil
1/­­2 cup /­­ 125 ml plant milk or regular milk
3 eggs
1/­­2 cup /­­ 50 g oat flour (or same amount rolled oats, mixed into a flour)
1/­­2 cup /­­ 50 g almond flour
6 tbsp cacao powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 pinch salt
1 handful crushed walnuts (optional)
Chocolate Avocado Frosting
6-8 soft dates
3 tbsp coconut oil
2-3 tbsp strong coffee
3 tbsp cacao powder
1 avocado
Sprinkle with
Sea salt
Preheat the oven to 180°C /­­ 350°F. Pit the dates and add them to a food processor along with the rinsed black beans. Mix on high speed. Add oil, milk and eggs (leave out if you are vegan) and mix until smooth. Add almond flour and oat flour (you can make oat flour from rolled oats by simply blending them in a food processor or grinding them in a mortle and pester), cacao powder, baking powder and salt and pulse until everything is mixed. Stir in walnuts (and whipped aquafaba if you are making the vegan version). Place a baking paper in a 28 x 20 cm /­­ 11 x 8 inch rectangular baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the brownies from the oven once they are firm to touch and leave until completely cool.
Make the frosting by mixing all the ingredients in a food processor until completely smooth. Taste and adjust the flavors, adding more dates (or maple syrup if you want it sweeter) and more cacao powder if you want it richer. Spread the frosting over the brownies, sprinkle with sea salt flakes and cut into bite-size pieces. Store in the fridge.
To make them vegan: Use 3 tbsp more oat flour. Leave out the eggs and whisk 1/­­3 cup aquafaba (chickpea water) into soft peaks that you stir into the mixed batter together with the walnuts. The vegan version needs approx 45-50 minutes in the oven and will come out slightly stickier but firms up once it cools.

This recipe is perfect for your upcoming holiday party! Or tuck it away until the Super Bowl. An indulgence, to be sure, but you deserve it. Ive been meaning to work up a recipe like this since the cauliflower wings craze hit the interwebs a while ago, but I never got around to it. These are crispy and flavourful, and remain so even when they are no longer hot. The boys doused theirs in Buffalo hot sauce, while the rest of us stuck to a sweet BBQ sauce. Delicious! INGREDIENTS - 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets Brine - 2 cups cold water - 1 tsp garlic powder - 2 tsp onion powder - 2 tsp smoked or seasoned salt - 2 tsp paprika - 1 tsp poultry spice Batter - 2 cups all purpose flour - 1 cup panko crumbs - 1/­­2 cup chickpea flour - 1/­­2 cup tapioca flour/­­starch - 1 tbsp each: onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning - 1 tsp white pepper - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar - 3 cups plain soy milk (more if needed) METHOD 1. The day before: mix together the brine ingredients (I use a blender). Pour into a large freezer bag, then add the cauliflower florets. If your cauliflower is very large, you can make a 1.5 recipe of the brine. 2. Remove as much air a possible so the brine is making maximum contact with the brine. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours, rotating the bag as needed for even brining. 3. The Day of: drain cauliflower in a colander. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees. 4. While cauliflower is draining, whisk together the dry ingredients for the batter (i.e. flour to white pepper). 5. Dredge the cauliflower in the flour mixture in batches until coated. Shake off all excess and place on a baking sheet. 6. In a separate bowl, whisk together vinegar and soy milk. Add enough of the soy mixture to the remaining flour mixture to make a thickish batter. Add more soy milk if needed. 7. Add some pieces of cauliflower to the batter. Turn to coat. Leave the cauliflower in the batter for a few minutes to allow the batter to soak into the dredging flour. 8. Shake off excess batter and transfer to a cooking tray or plate. 9. Fry in oil, 3-4 minutes per side, until deep golden brown. Make sure your oil is not too hot or the outside will burn before the cauliflower is cooked. 10. Drain on paper towels and serve while still hot. NOTE 1: while one batch is frying, add another to the batter so it can soak. Repeat. NOTE 2: add more soy milk to the batter, if needed. The dredging flour will thicken the batter a bit, so just thin it down again.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, its time to get back on a healthy track. But that doesnt mean you cant take a short break from cooking! Weve rounded up some of the best restaurants from around the country that offer Meatless Monday. Not only can you eat plant-based this holiday season but you can support a local business that is doing its part to make their communities healthier! Here are some restaurants offering great vegetarian and vegan options every Monday:
Oddfellows (Seattle, Washington)
Oddfellows proudly supports Meatless Monday in an effort to make the world a healthier place. Just one of several plant-based meals offered at Oddfellows is a salad of baby greens with watermelon radish, gorgonzola & gooseberry-sherry honey vinaigrette. It’s simple and delicious, and we hope our guests enjoy it as much as we do.
Tallulahs (Seattle, Washington)
Tallulah’s thinks every day can be meatless and is proud to be a part of Meatless Monday. They’ve created a vegetable-driven menu and on Monday’s they take it up notch. Our recent favorite is a seared king trumpet mushroom dish with farro charred corn, zucchini ribbons, peas and ramp chermoula. We always enjoy eating our veggies at Tallulah’s, but especially when it’s for a good cause.
Snarfs Sandwiches/­­Snarfburger (Boulder, Colorado)
Jimmy Seidels two restaurant chains offer vegetarian and vegan options all the time but actively participate in Meatless Monday. Their vegetarian sandwiches include: the Cheese & Mushroom (sautéed mushrooms, American, Swiss and provolone cheeses topped with mayo, mustard, giardinera peppers, onion, lettuce, tomato, pickles, seasoning and oil), the Vegetarian (avocado, sprouts and provolone cheese topped with mayo, mustard, giardinera peppers, onion, lettuce, tomato, pickles, seasoning and oil), and Eggplant Parmesan (breaded eggplant cutlet, marinara sauce, Swiss, provolone and parmesan cheeses).
Yuzu (Lakewood, Ohio)
Yuzus Asian-inspired menu offers up Meatless Monday specials every week. Their vegetarian bowls are half-price and offered until 2:00 AM. The bowls - which come in Indian-style and Tex-Mex options - can also include cauliflower rice for a small added charge!
Plant Power (San Diego, California)
Plant Power is a vegetarian restaurant every day of the week, but it boasts several customers who arent vegetarian or vegan at all. It has become a destination for Meatless Monday diners as well as others who are eager to try a better-for-you, fast food option. In addition to using natural, plant-based ingredients, Plant Power is also dedicated to using only biodegradable materials for their packaging, utensils, and dishes.
If you have a favorite restaurant in your hometown that follows Meatless Monday, we want to know about it! Contact us at info@meatlessmonday.com. Wed love to put them in the spotlight. And if you have a place that might want to try Meatless Monday, you can find more information on our site.
The post Restaurant Roundup: Treat Yourself to a Vegetarian Night Out! appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Hey! First of all, thanks for all your cheering words on the news of our marriage. That was fun! Secondly, I promised a lot of persons on instagram that we would share a chocolate recipe which currently goes by the working name Taco Brownies. But all the interest in them made me a little anxious so I’m heading back into the kitchen today to test another round before we’re ready to post them. Here is something to snack on while you wait. A peanut butter sandwich and a green smoothie.
Technically, a sandwich hardly qualifies as a recipe. But what we want to say with this point is really just that you should try peanut butter on a savory sandwich. I love all kind of nut butter sandwiches and even if I usually top it with sliced bananas, apples, strawberries or a sweet compote, this savory version is my most recent addiction. Crispy lettuce and cucumber add a nice textural contrast to the sandwich without competing with the peanut butter flavor. The cottage cheese makes it moist and yummy and the chickpeas ... well I don’t know why the chickpeas are there actually. I guess I just like chickpeas inside my sandwiches. This sandwich is yummy, sticky, crunchy, rich and yet fresh somehow. We usually make it with a good quality rye bread but anything goes.
I just realized that this is a green sandwich without avocado so we should perhaps call it “the-death-of-avocado-sandwich-sandwich” or something catchy like that. Anyway, it’s good. And it’s not impossible that you already have the ingredients at home. So, try it!
For the other recipe, I’ll let Luise do the talking. It was her idea to pair the sandwich with a smoothie and since she is queen Latifah of green smoothies I am sure she has something clever to say. /­­David
Here’s something clever for you. Make this smoothie. It’s that good. It has lots of green vegetables and a mild and fresh taste with tones of lemon and ginger. Just the way I like it. Also, using frozen vegetables makes the smoothie creamy and more nutritious and you can skip the ice. It also works really well paired with a sandwich as well because (most of) you have two hands and now you can have a good snack in each hand. We actually wrote a “In The Other Hand” chapter for our smoothie book with lots of great snacks, but we couldn’t fit it in the book. Lots of love! /­­Luise
Green Peanut Butter Sandwich
Makes 2
Just one note on peanut butter. Read the ingredient list in the supermarket and go for the brands that only list peanuts (and maybe salt). You can of course use other types of nut butters as well, I’d especially recommend cashew butter for this, but it’s usually a lot pricier.
4 slices rye bread
4 tbsp peanut butter
a few leaves crispy lettuce
5 cm /­­ 2 inches cucumber
4 tbsp cottage cheese
4 tbsp chickpeas /­­ garbanzo beans
2 tsp olive oil
pea shoots
thyme
Spread peanut butter on each bread slice. Rinse the lettuce and cucumber. Tear the lettuce into smaller pieces, slice the cucumber thinly and place both on top of each peanut butter sandwich. Top with cottage cheese, chickpeas, a drizzle of olive oil, pea shoots and thyme. Put the sandwich together, wrap with sandwich paper and dig in.
Broccoli & Ginger Smoothie
2 normal glasses or 1 very large
If you don’t have a super powerful blender, start by mixing all ingredients except broccoli and banana (because they are thicker and will slow down the blender blades). When mixed until smooth, add the last ingredients and mix again. If you like it a little sweeter, you can add a fresh date or more banana.
4-5 florets frozen broccoli (or frozen cauliflower)
1 large banana
1 large handful fresh spinach
1 large handful fresh kale
1 large knob fresh ginger
1 slice lemon, peeled
1-2 cups plant milk, (oat milk /­­ rice milk /­­ almond milk)
Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and mix until smooth. Taste and adjust the flavor and consistency if needed. Pour into two glasses or bottles.

Chi San Wan is a creative consultant, mama, entrepreneur and author based in London. We love Chi’s beautiful cookbook, her aesthetic, and down-to-earth approach to wellness, and we were very excited to get a peak at her everyday routine.
In this interview, Chi tells us about her morning and bedtime routines, her ways of dealing with stress, the simple beauty tricks she’s learned from her mother, making space for the occasional cake and wine, and much more.
Routine
-- Is routine important to you or do you like things to be more open and free?
I enjoy routine, especially in the mornings. Before Marloe came along, routine was the only thing keeping me grounded. I have all sorts floating around in my head, and working for myself means one day can be very different to the next, so I need my mornings to be predictable in order to get me in the right mind-set for the rest of the day. However, now that those routines are governed by Marloe, our one year old, things are somewhat less predictable, and I have learnt to let go of the importance of routine a little.
-- What do your mornings look like? If they differ from day to day, describe your ideal morning.
They vary slightly from day to day, depending on whats on the agenda, but in an ideal and average world my morning would be waking up around 6am, do some stretching, then 20 mins of meditation. Around 6:30am Marloe wakes up and we like to cuddle in bed together as a family (shes really into giving kisses at the moment). We get out of bed around 7am and take turns to shower whilst the other one plays with Marloe, makes lemon hot water and preps breakfast. We sit down together for breakfast between 7:30am-8am and have our mornings chats – most of the time theres food throwing involved.
-- Do you have any bedtime rituals that help you sleep well?
I like to stop any computer work by 9pm, make myself a small hot drink and climb into bed to do some reading – usually self-help or study. I try to sleep by 10pm latest, but sometimes me and my boyfriend just end up chatting about the day until 11pm or midnight…
Sustenance
-- Describe your typical or ideal meal for each of these:
Typically…
Breakfast – multi-grain porridge with almond milk, topped with whatever seasonal fruits are around and some nut butter
Lunch – quinoa, roast veg, salad, some kraut, some seaweed – usually leftovers
Snack – sourdough and avocado, or an apple with cheese /­­ nut butter, whatever I find on my travels
Dinner – salmon and veg, or daal /­­ curry with rice, yoghurt and lots of freshly chopped herbs
-- Do you partake in caffeine and in what form? If not, what is your drink of choice in the morning?
If I have the time, I will make myself a matcha latte in the mornings or for a snack. If we have eggs, maybe I will have an Earl Grey tea or some fresh juice. I only ever drink coffee when I fancy a croissant! Then it would have to be a flat white with fresh almond milk or oat milk.
-- Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, how do you keep it in check?
I never used to! But somehow, during pregnancy and since Marloe was born, I have developed a sweet tooth! Maybe its to keep energy up? As the weather is colder now in London, I have been obsessed with searching for the best hot chocolate (always disappointing and not chocolatey enough!). When I get the urge for something sweet, its usually something very specific, not any old sweet thing will suffice, and I will have to go on a hunt for it. Though usually after dinner, I am happy with a piece of raw chocolate from the fridge.
-- Are there any particular supplements, herbs, or tinctures/­­tonics that you take regularly and find to be helpful with your energy level and general wellness?
I try and have a wide and varied diet to keep things in check, and food is the first thing I look to when trying to manage my general wellness. I try and listen to my body, even if sometimes its asking for wine or cake! Usually, it needs just that and feels much better for it. In terms of taking anything else, since pregnancy and the birth of Marloe I have taken a high DHA Omega 3 supplement and probiotics daily (just in case I dont get the chance to eat it in food form). Once a week I will make some water steeped in goji berries, longan (when my mum visits, she will always leave me some) and any dried herbs I have on hand and sip on that. I have some adaptogenics on hand too – chaga, cordyceps, reishi, ashwaghanda, schisandra – but I dont make a habit of taking them everyday, only when I need to.
-- What is your approach to feeding your daughter? Do you try to guard her from all unhealthy/­­processed foods, or are you more relaxed about it all? Do you have any advice for parents who want to raise their kids to be comfortable with real, whole foods?
For her first year I was a little precious about what I gave her to eat – everything was made at home and organic produce only. I went with baby led weaning which is so messy, anyone who knows me knows I cannot handle mess so this was, and still is, a learning curve for me. But it gives me great pleasure watching Marloe enjoy her food, and try anything I give her. She has days where she is super picky, but generally she is a happy eater. I am more relaxed and realistic about what she consumes now, because I cant always control where we are – she has predominately home made food, but when we are out she will have bits of whatever we are eating, and its fun to watch her try new things! I really recommend baby led weaning. If you read up on it, it makes a lot of sense to get kids to eat real, whole foods this way – who wants to eat mush? It could be anything! Real food looks and tastes much more exciting and it makes them more adventurous with food, and less fussy. Eating together at the table is important to me as well, and for Marloe to have what we are eating – she knows if we have given her a different meal and will shout until we feed her some of ours.
Exercise
-- Do you exercise and do you have a particular exercise routine that you repeat weekly?
I love to fit yoga in when I can and I walk a lot (at a very fast pace), but other than that, its chasing the baby around.
-- Do you find exercise to be pleasurable, torturous or perhaps a little of both? How do you put yourself in the right mindset in order to keep up with it?
I dont do any form of exercise that I find torturous, such as spin or anything high adrenaline; it doesnt work for me. I enjoy yoga – dynamic or kundalini, and walking in nature a lot.
Beauty
-- What is your idea of beauty – external, internal or both?
I think if youre comfortable in your own skin, that is beautiful. But for everyone, that could be down to many different factors and it will chop and change with time. Someone who is confident but grounded with integrity – their beauty will shine through.
-- What is your skincare approach – face and body?
Its pretty simple and not that exciting! I try and dry-brush when I can, I use Dr. Bronners Baby soap for the body, and then after a shower, whilst the body is wet, I will rub a concoction of almond oil, sesame oil and essential oils that I fancy, all over. For my face, I take the day off with coconut oil and rose water (I make my own with 3/­­4 organic rose water and 1/­­4 colloidal silver). For my morning shower, I will use a thin flannel to scrub the face and spray with rose water, followed by a tiny bit of Nucifera, The Balm – a recent find in LA. Its been amazing for the change in weather in the UK.
-- Are there any foods, herbs or supplements you find to be helpful to your skin/­­hair/­­general glow?
Water, water, water. Not eating so much dairy, wheat and sugar, but consuming more good fats like avocado, coconut and ghee.
-- Do you have any beauty tips/­­tricks you’ve found to be especially useful throughout the years? Family heirlooms are very much welcome.
My mum looks so good and youthful, but she has never drank much, never smoked, never wore make-up...thats her trick! I have never smoked, I drink less now naturally, as I am breastfeeding and I’m too busy to do any make-up, so usually a go at the eyelash curlers will do for the day!
Stress, etc.
-- Do you practice any consistent routines in order to avoid stress?
I think fitting in meditation everyday greatly reduces stress for me and puts things into perspective.
-- If stress cannot be avoided, what are your ways of dealing with it?
Acupuncture. Talking it out with my boyfriend and friends. Knowing that ‘this too shall pass’. Treating myself to whatever food and drink I desire (within budget of course).
-- What measures do you take when you sense a cold/­­general feeling of being under the weather coming on?
I take Wellness tablets. I make sure to be hydrated and wrap up warm at all times, especially the throat and chest. I make congee or daal, something warming and easy to digest so the body can rest.
-- Do you strive to maintain a healthy work/­­life balance or do those things overlap for you? What is your approach?
At the moment, I am very much governed by my daughters day to day antics, and I try and fit everything else around her. This does stress me out at times, but then I try and remember to enjoy these first years with her. I am lucky to have this time together with her, because I am freelance. I just try and plan my time carefully (shared iCal helps!), but not everything always goes to plan – which I am learning to let go of.
Motivation
-- Describe the actions you take or mindset you try to tap into in order to stay on track with your self-care practice and being nice to yourself?
Things generally fall better into place when I take time to be kind to myself, so I just keep reminding myself that self-care is important, especially for a working mum. Setting routines like bed times for myself etc helps with this and saying no to some friends, projects, events etc when you just need the time to sort stuff out, so that everything else can run more smoothly. Obviously there is room for spontaneity, thats what keeps me feeling alive!
-- What do you consider to be the single most important change youve made to your routine or lifestyle in terms of wellness?
Meditation. Making the time for it. It keeps me feeling focused, rested and puts things into perspective. Its a form of self-care and love for myself, and is incredibly nurturing. I dont always do it every day twice a day, but when I do, it helps immensely. I learnt from Jacqui at The Broad Place in the summer and, hands down, they’re the best teachings of meditation I have come across, because its real and it works.
-- How do you deal with periods characterized by a lack of inspiration or procrastination?
Its easier said than done, but I try not to stress about it, and just trust the process rather than sit and wallow. Ill meet up with friends and my peers and we chat it out – usually its something that is felt by a few people, and I find that it usually reverberates between similar minds, like theres something going on with the energy around us.
-- A book/­­movie/­­class that influenced your view of self-nourishment or self-care.
I cant pinpoint one thing, its a zeitgeist thing, its in the air...maybe because we are entering a revolution, the age of Aquarius. I am constantly inspired and influenced by the people I surround myself with, the internet, social media, so books /­­ movies /­­ classes suggested through those mediums are naturally the ones I gravitate to.
Knowledge
-- You co-authored A Simple Table, a beautiful cookbook that focuses on fresh and simple meals. What was the key message that you aimed to communicate with the recipes and lifestyle tips in the book?
Thank you. The key message was that everyday nourishment neednt be difficult or a chore. It could be simple acts of kindness to yourself, or simple recipes that dont require crazy expensive ingredients. Its to encourage the reader to explore what makes them feel good inside and out, as everyone is different and there is no one formula. Most of all, it was to enjoy the simple pleasures.
-- Tell us a bit about the fresh almond milk company that you co-founded, The Pressery. What inspired you to start it and what did you learn from having that business?
I felt a change in me, and the start of a movement back in 2013 when I became a little disillusioned working in fashion, and more excited about food and drink and the effects it has on us. I have always been a food fanatic, so it was natural for me to explore this familiar and yet unknown territory. My business partner had been feeling the same for a while, so it felt like the right time to launch a small business in something we were both passionate about. I was already making almond milk at home, and after some research we settled on focusing on making the one product the best we could. There is a lot to learn through starting a business from nothing (I was a freelance fashion stylist before that), and building a brand from scratch – we started selling at a market and then got into Selfridges, and I grew the social media following from 0 to 22k organically in 2 years. Ive met many people through the business, with whom I am still good friends now and work with today, as a creative consultant. It was a natural progression for me and I wouldnt be where I am now if it wasnt for The Pressery.
Fun and Inspiration
-- What do you do to unwind or treat yourself?
I like to have a glass of red wine, make dinner with my boyfriend and possibly have a candle lit bath with Epsom salts and essential oils.
-- A book/­­song/­­movie/­­piece of art to feed the soul:
Book – salt. by Nayyirah Waheed, there is always a piece that speaks to me at any point in my life
Song/­­Album – I will never tire of Your Hand In Mine by Explosions In The Sky
Movie – In The Mood For Love has been a long favourite – the soundtrack, the colours, the feelings…
Piece of Art – anything by Agnes Martin really does feed and soothe my soul, when the exhibition was at the Tate Modern, I went about 5 times!
-- What are your favorite places to eat in London?
Leilas for breakfast, Esters for brunch, Towpath for lunch, Granger & Co Kings Cross for work meetings, Violet for cake and tea, P. Franco for wine and small dishes and for dinner – Primeur , Campania and Jones , Uchi , Westerns Laundry , Legs , Luca ...too many!
-- We are captivated by Joan Didion’s compact travel packing list . What are some essential objects that would be in yours?
– comfy t-shirt and shorts for sleep
– current book
– Nucifera The Balm
– rose water spray
– essential oils to mix
– Weleda lip balm
– Dr. Bronners Baby soap (which doubles up as shaving foam)
– x2 pairs of jeans (one boyfriend, one flares)
– x1 sunglasses
– x1 rucksack, x1 fancy bag, x1 tote bag
– x1 black trousers (usually wide culottes)
– x3 different style tees
– x1 cashmere sweater
– x2 white shirts
– x1 jumpsuit /­­ playsuit
– x1 dress for day or evening
– x2 sandals (one Birkenstocks, one Isabel Marant)
– x1 trainers
– x1 smart shoes (for me, its Doc Martens)
– x1 jacket or coat (depending on the destinations temperature)
– x1 light cashmere scarf
-- Is there anyone you would like to hear from next in this interview series?
Id love to hear from Julie from Rudy Jude, Rosa from Cereal Magazine, Serena Mitnik-Miller from General Store and Holly from The Acey.
Photos taken by Jessica MacCormick, Emma Lee and Chi San Wan.
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Self-Care Interview Series: Laura Wright
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It gives me great pleasure to announce the upcoming release of The How Not to Die Cookbook by Michael Greger with Gene Stone — especially because the recipes are by yours truly. The book comes out of December 5th, but you can pre-order now.
The recipes in the book are based on Dr. Greger’s best-selling book, How Not To Die, and feature a variety of whole foods plant-based recipes, including Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Tahini Sauce:
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna:
Black Bean Burgers:
and Super Salad with Garlic Caesar Dressing:
If you’ve been wondering how to incorporate more of Dr. Greger’s “Daily Dozen” into your diet, then The How Not to Die Cookbook is the cookbook for you.
The post The How Not to Die Cookbook appeared first on Robin Robertson.

Mark Bittmans original How to Cook Everything Vegetarian was such a hit the first time around that the award-winning food writer decided it was time for an update. On November 7, Bittman will release a new edition which includes new recipes and information about the benefits of reducing meat consumption. We spoke with Bittman about whats different in How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Completely Revised Tenth Anniversary Edition and the many reasons why he felt it was time for a do-over.
1. What do you think has changed about plant-based eating since the first edition of your book was published? What compelled you to do a new edition?
Everyone wants to eat healthier than they did 10 years ago, and most people know that that means eating less meat. (When I ask audiences whos eating less meat than they were 10 years ago, almost everyone raises their hand.) And there are so many resources available to vegetarians - and more importantly, semi-vegetarians or flexitarians - that it seemed worth an update. Plus, frankly, I was a little disappointed with aspects of my approach in the original, so I got to fix that.
2. Do you think that more people understand the benefits of eating less (or no) meat now? If so, what has contributed to that change? If not, why do you think people are resistant to that change?
Most, but not everyone. That goes without saying. (And see above.) Why? Overwhelming evidence that overproduction of meat is harmful to the environment and overconsumption is harmful to individuals. Not to mention producing animals as if they were widgets.
http:/­­/­­www.meatlessmonday.com/­­images/­­photos/­­2017/­­11/­­59d5122651a0c_­Smart_­Bites-_­How_­Meatless_­Monday_­Improves_­YOUR_­Health_­and_­the_­Health_­of-the_­Planet.mp4
Courtesy of HealthGuru.com
3. Do you believe its easier to cook vegetarian?
Anyone who only cooks animal products is missing out on a universe of flavors and textures that cant be found elsewhere. Foods from the plant kingdom are generally easy to cook, but theyre also healthy, theyre inexpensive, they can be cooked in bulk, and they last for a long time. Thats not about cooking vegetarian - its about cooking. Period.
4. It says on your site that your mission is to make food understandable. What are people not understanding about food and how do you like to explain it to them?
The sheer amount of information out there--much of which is misinformation--is overwhelming, to say the least. Im constantly reminding people that food can be delicious without being complicated; you can make something great with three ingredients. Once theyre on board with that mindset, its a good idea to get comfortable with substitutions and winging it. The goal of the recipe variations in the How to Cook Everything books is to get people to understand that they dont have to follow a recipe word for word. In fact, its better if they dont because whatever variation they use, whether its one of mine or something they come up with, will be tailored to their particular tastes.
5. Some people arent quite ready to change their entire diet or give up meat completely. What are some recipes that work for quick, weeknight Meatless Monday dinner?
Heres the first line of HTCEV: Im not a vegetarian, nor am I invested in you becoming one. Many foods are naturally meat-free, and the point is that we need to be eating more of those than we do now. That doesnt mean not eating animal products - it means changing the focus. There are no sacrifices here. Consider recipes like Cream of Spinach Soup, Cauliflower Salad with Olives and Bread Crumbs, the infinite ways to make Beans and Greens (black beans with kale, cannellini with escarole, lentils with fennel, etc.), and the zillions of non-meat pasta dishes, like Pasta with Walnut Sauce and Pasta with Caramelized Onions.
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Completely Revised Tenth Anniversary Edition is available on Amazon beginning November 7.
The post Mark Bittman Wants to Help You Cook Everything (Without Meat) appeared first on Meatless Monday.

This happens to me pretty much every day at around 3 o’clock, providing that I’m working from home. I get up from my desk, put on the teapot, throw a bunch of things in the blender, whirl it all together, and end up with a cozy and satisfying latte-ish drink that gets me through to dinner time. I don’t drink caffeine anymore, because I’ve always been very sensitive to it, and found that avoiding it altogether really helps with even energy levels (I may have made a few exceptions in Italy :)). But this little ritual takes me back to the days when 3 o’clock meant a cup of really good tea or a matcha. There’s really nothing better.
I end up making a different drink every time, based on my mood and the ingredients I have on hand, but the general formula is the same. There’s always something for creaminess, something for flavor, something for an energy boost… So I thought I’d give a ‘no-recipe’ recipe here, as well as a few of my favorite combinations. Midday super-latte making is a really fun routine to add to your day if you’re around a blender, and it’s good for your in a number of ways: it gets you out of the busyness of the day and nudges you to take a break, it’s creative, and the beverage you’ll end up with will likely be good-for-you, warming and tasty.
Tahini Hot Chocolate
This was one of our most popular recipes last winter. It’s an incredibly satisfying blender hot chocolate that comes together in seconds.
Rosemary Hot White Chocolate
Another hot chocolate, but this one is a white hot chocolate infused with rosemary. A great case for using cacao butter in drinks, which lends both its chocolatey flavor, as well as a richness and a froth.
Spirulina Latte
Another blender latte, but this time boosted with all the green benefits of spirulina, without the swampy taste.
Chamomile Latte
The most grounding and delicious latte to drink before bed.
Herbal Mocha with Chicory and Maca
Playing off New Orleans-style coffee, this herbal mocha is a great option for those trying to take a break from coffee and missing it dearly. Chicory brings a coffee-like richness, while maca and cacao boost energy.
Honey Miso Latte
This is basically a golden milk latte, but boosted with the flavor and health benefits of miso and raw honey. I like to drink this one before plane journeys, since miso might be helpful when it comes to countering the radiation we are exposed to on any given flight.
Hibiscus Ginger Latte
This latte gets is beautiful color and a pleasant sour note in the flavor from steeped hibiscus flowers.
Pear Cranberry Chai
Any modesty aside, this is the best chai I’ve ever had or made in my life. A great example for how creative you can get with your beverages, this one uses both fruit and a bunch of healing spices to achieve an otherworldly flavor.
No-Recipe Vegan Cozy Latte
Start With:
This is your base liquid, which will determine what other ingredients you will add to your blender. Choose one or a couple. Hot water is a blank canvas, while herbal coffee and tea will give you a base flavor, which you can play off off with your other ingredients.
- hot water
- chicory coffee or Dandy Blend
- tea – herbal, black, green, etc.
- hot plant milk – coconut, almond, cashew, oat, etc.
Creamy:
Add one of these ingredients or a combination of a few of them for a rich, extra-creamy latte, especially important to include if you are just using hot water as the base.
- coconut butter
- tahini
- almond butter/­­cashew butter/­­any other nut butter
- tocos
- cacao butter
Frothy:
This is optional if you already have a creamy element, but adding some extra fat to your latte contributes to the most beautiful froth. Also, if your base is something with caffeine like a black or green tea, this will help slow the absorption of caffeine for a more even boost of energy (like in Bulletproof coffee).
- Coconut oil/­­MCT oil
- Ghee
Sweet:
Add as much sweetness as you need, tasting as you go.
- dates
- raw honey
- maple syrup
- date syrup
Flavor:
Play off your drink base while adding some flavor. Both cacao powder and turmeric do well in creamy, milky drinks, while spices, herbs and vanilla can be used millions of ways (just see the drink round-up above).
- cacao powder
- cacao butter
- turmeric
- other spices like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger
- vanilla
- herbs
- miso
Extras & Boosts:
My absolute favorite energy-boosting ingredient for drinks is maca powder – it instantly wakes me up and tastes so delicious. But there are a ton of other boosters you can add to your lattes, some ideas below.
- maca powder
- cacao butter
- other adaptogens: chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps, ashwagandha
- more: pearl powder, tocos, mucura pruriens, spirulina, etc. etc.
Blend all your components until frothy and enjoy :)
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Amy Chaplin is an author and chef, whose approach to whole foods and cooking is endlessly inspiring. Her cookbook is nothing short of a kitchen bible to us. We had the pleasure of meeting up with Amy in NYC a few years ago and had the best time chatting about our favorite subjects like sprouted flours, cookbook publishing, and acupuncture. Needless to say, we were excited to get a peak at her self-care routine.
In this interview, Amy tells us about the valuable self-care tips she learned from her mother, her favorite meals made with pantry staples, the skincare brand she’s been using since she was a teenager, her approach to exercise, stress, and so much more.
Routine
-- Is routine important to you or do you like things to be more open and free?
I like both. I like to have a morning routine and create a work routine for whatever project Im working on but I also like to have time for free thinking and spontaneously connecting with friends.
-- What do your mornings look like? If they differ from day to day, describe your ideal morning.
I get up early, 6 am is the usual time but sometimes eariler depending on what Im working on. I make warm lemon water, light a candle and mediate for 10 to 15 minutes. In late summer the sun is coming up just as I finish and I usually sit for a bit and often reply to messages from Austrlia (they are going to bed around that time). Then I feed our two dogs (my wife takes them out on a long morning walk) start making breakfast and make sencha tea. Sometimes I skip the sencha and have a matcha latte after breakfast but I try not to have too much caffeine, as much as I love it! If Im working on recipes from home, I quickly shower, dress and get started right away....sometimes before breakfast but it depends on what Im testing :)
-- Do you have any bedtime rituals that help you sleep well?
I stop working on the computer before dinner and leave it closed. I leave my phone downstairs so its far from my bedroom. I get into bed and usually read cookbooks or watch an episode of any series Im currently obsessed with :)
Sustenance
-- Describe your typical or ideal meal for each of these:
Breakfast – soaked oats + chia (recipe is in my book) or activated grain porridge with homemade nut milk, cardamom and berries. I usually eat grains once a day and its usually in the morning.
Lunch – Beans of some kind --depending on recipes Im testing. Kraut or other fermented veg, greens--salad or steamed depending on weather. I usually add some toppings too: hemp seeds, toasted seeds, sunflower sprouts, scallions anything to make it tasty
Snack – Seeded crackers and nut butter/­­avocado/­­bean pate or chia pudding or coconut yogurt
Dinner – An egg or tempeh, avocado, steamed veg and a dressing of some kind--this is often quite small as Im not always hungry if I have a good lunch or if Im testing and sampling recipes.
-- Do you partake in caffeine and in what form? If not, what is your drink of choice in the morning?
Yes. I love green tea. Sencha is my favorite for its fresh, grassy umami taste. Rishi Tea First Flush Sencha is sublime. I also love their ceremonial grade matchas with foamed, homemade almond milk.
-- Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, how do you keep it in check?
I used to but I havent eaten sugar on a regular basis for years. If Im craving something sweet I eat a few spoons of Anitas coconut yogurt--it has a naturally sweet flavor from coconut with no sweetener. If I have a berry compote around Ill have some of that with it but I never sweeten them as Ive gotten used to just the sweetness of the berries. Of course there are times when Im testing recipes for cakes and muffins and I do enjoy tasting them and the same goes for good raw chocolate. Im not rigid about it as its part of being a chef but I dont seek out sugar on a daily basis.
-- Are there any particular supplements, herbs, or tinctures/­­tonics that you take regularly and find to be helpful with your energy level and general wellness?
I change depending on what my acupuncturist recommends in the way of Chinese herbs. I have been taking spirulina to increase protein and greens lately. I take a vitamin D. Ive been adding maca powder to my breakfasts for years so dont really consider it a supplement. I like adding locally grown ashwagandha (from Furnace Creek Farm) and reishi or chaga mushroom powder to hot cacao drinks. I drink nettle tea everyday because I love it, especially when you can get it fresh from the farmers market.
Exercise
-- Do you exercise and do you have a particular exercise routine that you repeat weekly?
With my job being so physical, these days I gravitate towards Qi Gong and yoga--the gentler classes. I also tend to exercise by default. Walking everywhere, long dog walks, biking and general schlepping around the city and up and down stairs with heavy bags of veggies!
-- Do you find exercise to be pleasurable, torturous or perhaps a little of both? How do you put yourself in the right mindset in order to keep up with it?
I used to push myself with torturous classes and long runs but now I do less and enjoy it more. I know that I am more productive when I make time for movement but it has to be mindful. I do yoga at home and love it when I have the time for long luxurious classes...especially restorative.
Beauty
-- What is your idea of beauty – external, internal or both?
Beauty to me is an inner glow that comes from something beyond what and how we take care of our bodies. Mostly it comes with time and a spiritual sense of oneself, our path, the world and other beings around us.
-- What is your skincare approach – face and body?
Ive used Dr. Hauschka since I was a teenager. I have a huge respect for biodynamic growing practices and love the way they preserve their products naturally. I think its one of the most difficult things with natural skin care products--preserving.
-- Are there any foods, herbs or supplements you find to be helpful to your skin/­­hair/­­general glow?
Local organic veggies, lots of greens, seeds…
-- Do you have any beauty tips/­­tricks you’ve found to be especially useful throughout the years? Family heirlooms are very much welcome.
I notice a difference in my skin when I use a warm compress of essential oils (Dr. Hauschka calls them bath oils). You put a few drops in warm water and soak a face cloth, squeeze it out and press it into your skin. I use lemongrass in the morning and lavender at night. Then you cleanse and use the same water to wash the cleanser off. They smell so good and your skin feels really clean and enlivened afterwards. Its my mothers beauty secret, she looks amazing! :)
Stress, etc.
-- Do you practice any consistent routines in order to avoid stress?
Mainly daily meditation and breathing. I dont feel as clear or grounded without it.
-- If stress cannot be avoided, what are your ways of dealing with it?
Hot shower and miso soup :)
-- What measures do you take when you sense a cold/­­general feeling of being under the weather coming on?
Make miso soup with lots of ginger and scallions and I also take Woodstock C & F Seasonal Support. It always helps with a sore throat or when Im feeling under the weather. Gargling sea salt with warm water. Colloidal silver spray. Hot lemon drink with grated ginger and turmeric. Bath and sleep.
-- Do you strive to maintain a healthy work/­­life balance or do those things overlap for you? What is your approach?
They definitely overlap. I love what I do and have found comfort in the kitchen for as long as I can remember. Of course there are days when work completely takes over but even when my schedule is jam packed, I try and make time to spend with my partner, cuddle the dogs and see family--it just means well be eating recipes that are being tested and theyre grilled for feed back!
Motivation
-- Describe the actions you take or mindset you try to tap into in order to stay on track with your self-care practice and being nice to yourself?
I aften find myself saying “everything is working out for my highest good and remembering that everything is perfect as it is. I grew up with Louise Hay books.
-- What do you consider to be the single most important change youve made to your routine or lifestyle in terms of wellness?
Over time my lifestyle and diet has improved and I have a much more balanced approach. I used to be quite strict at times and I know that its not the way to great health for me anyway. I think now I have better overall health so I dont get thrown off on a regular basis.
-- A book/­­movie/­­class that influenced your view of self-nourishment or self-care.
Paul Pitchford’s “Healing with Whole Foods has been in my life for over 20 years and I still consult it. It always gets me in the mood for pure, simple temple-like food. My self care is also influenced by my mother. She has a deep connection to nature and a daily ritual of foot baths, lemon water in the morning and making a nightly hot water bottle (in the cooler months) Ive carried on these rituals...but dont seem to get the foot baths in as often as she does.
Knowledge
-- Your recipes are so well thought out and always turn out delicious, as well as incredibly nourishing. What is your process when it comes to recipe development?
Thank you so much! My recipes all begin with what I crave, which is mostly deeply nourishing food with clean uncomplicated flavors. They have to make sense to me and not only be healthy but also be visually beautiful. Nature and beauty are what inspire me most. When I am developing recipes I want the steps to be clear and thorough. I spend a lot of time with new recipes before they are published. Theyre all tested over and over again by myself, friends, family and recipe testers. I feel a lot of responsibility to readers who spend time and money and a lot of effort making my recipes...they have to work and taste delicious!
-- You are a big proponent of keeping a well-stocked pantry. What are some of your favorite meals that you like to throw together with pantry ingredients?
Simple wraps with nori, fermented veggies, avocado (not really pantry but I always have a few of varying ripeness around). Barrys tempeh, which is made from white beans and adzuki beans and sold frozen, it tastes amazing just panfried in coconut oil. In Australia you can get fresh fava bean tempeh and Im missing it so much! Red lentil soup with lemon and spinach from my cookbook. That is perfect for right now when the weather is getting cooler and if you dont have much in the way of veg.
Fun and Inspiration
-- What do you do to unwind or treat yourself?
Drive to the country with my wife, play with my nephew, drink tea and sit in the morning sun. Have a pedicure. Travel and be in nature.
-- A book/­­song/­­movie/­­piece of art to feed the soul:
Book – “The Power of Intention” by Wayne Dyer
Song/­­Album – Blue by Joni Mitchell
Movie – I recently saw Lion and was so moved
Piece of Art – Yoko Onos simple, whimsical pieces
-- What are some of your favorite places to eat in NYC?
ABC V, Via Carota, Ilbuco Alimentari, De Maria
-- We are captivated by Joan Didion’s compact travel packing list. What are some essential objects that would be in yours?
– Good tea selection + strainer for infusing
– Activated or toasted nuts
– Spirulina
– Pajamas and cosy sox (no matter the season)
– Large scarf/­­shawl
– Cardigans
-- Is there anyone you would like to hear from next in this interview series?
Luise from Green Kitchen Stories, Henrietta Inman, Elenore from Earthsprout, Emma from My Darling Lemon Thyme.....
Photos by Amy Chaplin and Stephen Kent Johnson.
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Vegan Gluten free Christmas Cake Fruit Cake full of nuts, dried fruits, candied ginger. Soft, Flavorful and great for gifting. Vegan Soyfree Recipe.
I am not sure why fruit cakes have a bad rap. They used to be a treat we would wait for around Christmas. Soft, Sweet, full of fun stuff for us kids I guess. Maybe we just lucked out with a fabulous bakery.
I make versions of my Spelt spiced fruit cake if not baking a load of cookies every year. This version is adapted from spelt flour version. I use almond flour and rice flour to keep it gluten-free. The cake keeps well refrigerated for a few weeks if you use liquor or a week with orange juice. Serve as is or with a bourbon/­­rum glaze! Add nuts or seeds that you like, some dates, apricots, cherries. I also added some roasted sunflower seeds and chia seeds, so the cake is also great to snack on. Continue reading: Vegan Gluten free Christmas Cake – Fruit CakeThe post Vegan Gluten free Christmas Cake – Fruit Cake appeared first on Vegan Richa.

This post was created in partnership with USA Pulses and Pulse Canada.
As our new cookbook release date approaches and we enter a really busy season of our lives (more on that soon!), we count on hearty and sustainable meals like this lentil moussaka to see us through periods of tiredness or stress. If you are feeling any kind of holiday season-related pressure, it might just be the perfect, comforting dish for you, too. I love casserole-style dishes – they take some initial effort to put together, but afterwards they turn into a meal that just keeps on giving. This moussaka is definitely like that – the portion is big enough to have dinner or lunch taken care of for a solid few days, it keeps well and only gets better with age, can be eaten hot or cold, and can even be re-imagined as, say, a toast topping, if its initial layered charm ever wears off.
Moussaka is cooked in numerous countries in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, and the recipe varies from region to region, but it usually involves layers of ground meat, eggplant or potatoes, and a béchamel or egg custard blanket on top. In our vegan version, protein-rich lentils take place of the ground meat. Once they are cooked in a mixture of mushrooms, carrots, onion, herbs, and crushed tomatoes, and layered with silky roasted eggplant, it’s incredible how savory and satisfying they become. We went with mashed potatoes for the top layer, in place of the custard or béchamel, which takes this dish even further into the cozy and wintery meal territory. The mashed potato blanket also gets the most incredible, crispy, golden crust on top after some time in the oven, which makes the whole thing even more irresistible. I suggest roasting the eggplant, making the mashed potatoes, and maybe even cooking the lentils in advance, that way assembling the moussaka will feel like a breeze.
All the ingredients in this recipe are very affordable and widely available, and it’s amazing that such a satisfying meal can be made with just lentils and veggies. I generally make sure to keep a big jar of French lentils in my pantry, because they are very versatile and perfect for adding substance to all kinds of plant-based meals. Lentils fall under the category of pulses, together with chickpeas, beans and dry peas, which are all perfect vehicles for sustainable and nourishing meals. We’ve been having a ton of fun working with USA Pulses and Pulse Canada on creating accessible recipes, centered around pulses, as part of their Half Cup Habit initiative. Try adding a half cup of pulses to your meals a few times a week – they will up your whole healthy cooking game, I promise. For more of our pulses recipes, head here, as well as to the Half Cup Habit website. Enjoy :)
Vegan Lentil Moussaka Print Serves: 6-8 Ingredients 3 medium-large eggplants - sliced in ½ inch thick rounds 4 tablespoons neutral coconut or olive oil - divided sea salt freshly ground black pepper 1 cup dried French lentils - soaked overnight in purified water with a splash of acv 4 medium Yukon gold potatoes - peeled and quartered 2 tablespoons olive oil or ghee, plus more for brushing the mashed potato layer 1 large yellow onion - chopped 2 medium carrots - sliced 1-2 celery ribs - sliced (optional) pinch of red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon each fresh or dried thyme, oregano and/­­or marjoram (optional) 3 garlic cloves - sliced 1 lb baby bella or crimini mushrooms - sliced 1 28 oz can of box of crushed tomatoes 1 tablespoon tomato paste ½ tablespoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional) ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional) handful of toasted pine nuts (optional) chopped parsley and dill - for garnish (optional) Instructions Preheat oven to 400° F (200° C). Prepare two parchment paper-covered baking sheets. Arrange the eggplant slices on the baking sheets in a single layer, oil with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil/­­olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 20 minutes. Flip the slices and roast for another 15 minutes, until silky. Set aside. Lower the oven temperature to 375° F (190° C). While the eggplant is roasting, drain and rinse the lentils. Cover them with purified water in a medium pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 10-15 minutes or until cooked, but not mushy. Add salt at the end. Drain over a colander and set aside. Place the potatoes in the same pot you used to cook the lentils, cover with purified water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until soft throughout. Add salt at the end, then drain, reserving ¼ cup of the cooking water. Return the potatoes to the same pot. Mash them with 2 tablespoons of olive oil or ghee, black pepper and ¼ cup of the reserved cooking water. Taste for salt and adjust if needed. Continue to mash until smooth. Set aside. Warm the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut oil/­­olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, if using, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes and oregano/­­thyme/­­marjoram, if using. Sauté for 7 minutes, until the vegetables soften up. Add the mushrooms and sauté for another 8 minutes, until the water released by the mushrooms evaporates and they begin to brown. Add garlic and stir around for another minute. Add the lentils, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, smoked paprika, cinnamon and nutmeg, if using, to the pot with the mushrooms. Stir to combine, then cover and cook for 5 minutes for the flavors to incorporate. Arrange half of the eggplant slices on the bottom of a 9 x 9 baking dish. Top with half of the lentil mixture, followed by the remaining eggplant slices and lentils. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top, evening them out with a spoon into a smooth layer. Brush more olive oil/­­ghee over the potato layer and place the dish in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with the pine nuts and herbs, if using, and serve. 3.5.3226
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Chunks of potato and cauliflower soak up the rich flavors of toasted cumin, turmeric and dried coriander in this traditional dish. Try serving this curry with basmati rice or the flatbread naan for a quintessential Indian feast. This recipe comes to us from Prerna of Indian Simmer.
Serves 2
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- or
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/­­4 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried coriander
- 1 teaspoons red pepper powder
- I teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 medium cauliflower, cut into bite sized florets
- 1 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
Place the oil in a medium wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the cumin or mustard seeds and cook for 1-3 minutes, or until they start popping.
When the seeds pop, add the onion. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the it turns golden. Season the onion with the dried coriander, red pepper powder, turmeric and curry powder, taking care to stir and ensure all spices are evenly distributed.
Add the cauliflower florets and potato cubes. Stir, cover with a lid and turn heat down to medium low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 12-15 minutes or until the potatoes and cauliflower are al dente.
Uncover, stir and cook 4-7 minutes more, or until the vegetables are fully cooked. Divide into 2 portions, sprinkle with cilantro and enjoy!
The post Aloo Gobi appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Cauliflower is roasted golden in the oven while bell peppers are sautéed sweet and fragrant with zucchini on the stove. Parsley, garlic and red wine vinegar make a vibrant chimichurri sauce to sprinkle over this delectable vegetable medley.
Serves 6
For the chimichurri sauce:
- 1 bunch parsley, stems removed
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1/­­2-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/­­2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/­­3 cup olive oil
For the vegetables:
- a drizzle olive oil, for preparing the veggies
- 1 head cauliflower, broken into small florets
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
To make the chimichurri sauce:
Place the parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, black pepper and olive oil into a blender or food processor. Blend until thoroughly combined. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
To complete the Chimichurri Roasted Vegetables:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Toss the cauliflower florets with a drizzle of olive oil, until the cauliflower is coated. Place the olive oil coated cauliflower florets onto a baking sheet. Roast the cauliflower in the oven for 1 hour, or until the florets begin to turn golden brown.
15 minutes before the cauliflower florets have completed roasting, prepare a large skillet with a light coating of olive oil. Place the sliced zucchini and bell peppers into the skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, or until the bell peppers become sweet, soft and fragrant.
Divide the cauliflower and sautéed zucchini and peppers into 4 portions. Drizzle with chimichurri sauce to taste, and enjoy!
The post Chimichurri Roasted Vegetables appeared first on Meatless Monday.

It’s been eight years since we started collecting recipes on this website, and over those years we’ve accumulated quite a few holiday recipe ideas. We thought it was finally time to do a big, comprehensive round up of our absolute favorites. We’ve got you covered on mains and hearty sides, as well as lighter sides, soups, salads, dessert, and drinks. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season :)
v = vegan, gf = gluten-free, veg = vegetarian, vo = vegan option
Mains and Hearty Sides
Whole Braised Holiday Cauliflower (v, gf)
There’s something so grand and ritualistic about a holiday table centerpiece that took time, care and anticipation. Since most such centerpieces involve meat, one can feel a little left out during the peak of a celebratory meal if meat is not their jam. In this recipe, we applied this grand, ceremonious approach to braising a head of cauliflower. Someone even made a video outlining the entire braising process.
Baked Latkes (v, gf)
Latkes are my ultimate weakness, but I’ve always dreaded the long and smoky process of frying them. My love for latkes is so strong though, that I had to come up with an easier path to that crispy, golden potato goodness. These baked latkes are SO much easier to make than the traditional fried kind, since the oven does all the main work for you. The flavor and texture are not compromised one bit, I promise. The recipe also includes a beet salad with an avocado mayo, which is to die for.
Spaghetti Squash Mung Bean Lasagna (v, gf)
This healthful but hearty lasagna employs spaghetti squash in place lasagna noodles. There’s mushrooms, mung beans, kale, carrots, tomato sauce, and an easy almond ‘cheese’ as well.
Braised Leeks with Cauliflower White Bean Mash (v, gf)
If you’ve never tried braising leeks, you are in for a serious surprise. They are amazing, especially served over a hearty cauliflower and white bean mash. If leeks are not your thing, consider making the mash alone and serve it as a side, to up your holiday mash game :)
Sweet Potato and Brussels Sprout Gratin (v, gf)
I can’t say enough about this gratin comprised of layers of sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, and caramelized onions, showered with spices and coconut milk. It’s easy to make but so beautiful and satisfying at the same time.
Warm Salad of Roasted Cauliflower, Grapes, and Black Rice (v, gf)
This will forever be my favorite fall/­­winter salad. It’s all about the contrast of flavors: aromatic black rice, nourishing spiced cauliflower, juicy grapes, and a slightly spicy miso dressing full of umami. Sprinkle in some pomegranate seeds for an extra festive look.
Sorghum Beet Risotto (v, gf)
This vibrant risotto would make for an excellent side dish at a holiday table, especially if you don’t know what to do with that forgotten bag of sorghum in the back of your pantry :)
Curried Squash and Kale Riceless Risotto (vo, gf)
Another alternative (aka riceless) risotto option. This one uses riced kabocha squash in place of actual rice. It’s luxuriously creamy, warming, and overall impressive.
Root Vegetable Chickpea Flour Quiche (v, gf)
This vegan quiche comes together quite magically, with no crust, eggs or cream to speak of. Chickpea flour acts similarly to the egg-cream foundation of traditional quiche and solidifies into a sort of custard when baked at a high temperature. Add a studding of silky root vegetables and greens to that, and you’ve got yourself the perfect, healthful and delicious fall/­­winter quiche.
Soups and Sides
Creamy Butternut Squash, Pear and Cranberry Soup with Crispy Kale (v, gf)
This is butternut squash soup elevated. The addition of cranberries and pear is as delicious as it is unexpected. There’s a special ingredient that will help aid digestion during a big meal, too.
Winter Root and Fennel Soup with Greens and Caramelized Cauliflower (v, gf)
A soup that’s both grounding and fortifying, and good enough to serve as an unexpected, colorful starter at the holiday table.
Pink Soup with Roasted Onion and Broccoli (v, gf)
Another stunning, colorful soup option.
Celeriac Parsnip Mash with Crispy Sage (v, gf)
We love mashed potatoes, but we also love pairing a bowl of mashed potatoes with another, more interesting mash made with underutilized root vegetables. Both celeriac and parsnips are so uniquely flavored and healthful, it’s no wonder that they make for some delicious mash. Serve it with the Braised Holiday Cauliflower for the ultimate plant-based holiday meal.
Miso-Date Ghee Brussels Sprouts (veg, gf)
This recipe teaches you how to make your own ghee (golden, clarified butter that has a higher smoke point than normal butter and is low in lactose and casein /­­ not vegan), as well as how to make miso-date ghee, which is too delicious for words. It’s great on roasted Brussels sprouts, as well as everything else in this world.
Sweet Potato Nachos with Cheesy Chipotle Sauce and All the Fixings (v, gf)
A healthful take on nachos, with crispy sweet potatoes taking the place of tortilla chips. Great for self-serve style, snack-heavy parties. If you don’t want to go through the intricate process of making sweet potato chips, roasted sweet potatoes will work perfectly in their place.
Kale Salad with Marinated Beets, Lentils and Almond Cheese (v, gf)
This salad is simple but effective: visually stunning, healthful and delicious. Plus, you’ll want to sprinkle that almond cheese on everything!
Roasted Parsnip and Pomelo Salad (v, gf)
Earthy, nourishing parsnips go so well with juicy, bittersweet citrus. The combination is especially irresistible when sprinkled with spiced and toasted walnuts and raisins. Use grapefruit if you can’t find pomelo.
Desserts
Apple Pecan Pie with Salted Pumpkin Caramel (v)
This is three favorite Thanksgiving pies in one: apple, pecan and pumpkin. It’s decadent and impressive, and a definite crowd-pleaser. (Also pictured in slice form at the beginning of this post).
Concord Grape Fruit and Nut Cake (v, gf)
Slices of this fruit and nut cake make for a great accompaniment to a cheese plate, as well as an awesome gift basket component.
Chocolate Fudge with Fresh Sage and Goji Berries (v, gf)
The super-festive appearance of this decadent, frozen fudge basically speaks for itself.
Rum and Raisin Bundt with Orange and Miso Glaze (v)
The universally loved combination of rum and raisins is elevated by a sweet and subtly salty orange and miso glaze in this vegan bundt recipe we developed for Food & Wine.
Sweet Potato Caramel Nougat (v, gf)
Oh man, this nougat! Not as sticky or sweet as traditional nougat, this one has a caramel-like complexity from our trademark sweet potato caramel. There is a studding of toasted nuts and cookie crumble throughout each slice, too. Great for homemade gifts or party platters.
Upside Down Citrus Polenta Cake (v, gf)
This cake is a crowd pleaser through and through. It’s got it all in terms of stunning looks and bright, special flavor.
Black and White Chocolate Pudding (v, gf)
These elegant, black and white chocolate pudding cups are easy to put together, but very impressive and full of whole food ingredients.
Chocolate Beet Layer Cake with Pink Frosting and Chocolate Ganache (v, gf)
If you are looking for a grand and fun cake project, but still want something wholesome and not too sugary, look no further than this stunner of a cake.
Hibiscus Orange Blossom Turkish Delight
In this recipe, we’ve updated the old school treat with the use of healthful ingredients, and the beautiful, floral flavors of hibiscus and orange blossom. Serve these Turkish delights alongside tiny tongs at a holiday party for the ultimate, fancy dessert experience :)
Banana Toffee Tart (v)
This tart is worth making just for the vegan date toffee alone, but combine that with a (vegan) buttery crust and caramelized bananas, and you’ll forever be everyone’s favorite host.
Parsnip Cake with Candied Kumquats (veg, gf)
Another crowd favorite from a few years ago, this cake is like carrot cake, but made with parsnips in place of carrots. The parsnips yield their moisture and delicate flavor to the cake dough, which is then layered with a cream cheese frosting and topped with candied kumquats. This recipe can easily be veganized – just use maple syrup in place of honey to candy the kumquats and make the frosting.
Honey-Roasted Pears with Vanilla Cashew Cream (veg, gf)
All the components of this dessert can be made ahead of time, and assembled later. The cashew cream is not your average cashew cream, either – it’s extra-fluffy with the help of a special ingredient.
White Chocolate Blood Orange Mousse Tart (v, gf)
This delicate white chocolate mousse tart is flavored and colored with the juice and zest of blood orange. You also have the option of skipping the crust and making the mousse alone. Just distribute it amongst little ramekins for individual servings.
Pumpkinseed Butter Goji Cookies (v, gf)
These cookies are crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and incredibly buttery throughout. Their unexpected green coloring looks beautiful, contrasted by the red topping of goji berries.
Kabocha Squash Ice Cream with Maple Roasted Pecans (veg, gf)
Winter squash does beautifully in ice cream, especially the naturally sweet, bright orange kabocha squash. In this recipe, kabocha ice cream is swirled with a simple, tart cranberry sauce and topped with maple pecans. This recipe can easily be vegan – just use maple syrup in place of honey.
Miso Caramel Popcorn (v, gf)
It’s entirely possible to make really good caramel popcorn at home! This popcorn is sweet, salty, and incredibly addicting – you’ve been warned :)
Drinks
Rosemary Hot White Chocolate (v, gf)
This hot white chocolate is both cozy and decadent, with unexpected, warming notes from rosemary and a perfectly smooth, frothy consistency.
Quick Persimmon Eggnog (v, gf)
This is eggnog for both the adventurous and the health-conscious. Much lighter than the original, but still perfectly creamy and satisfying.
Spiced Kombucha Moscow Mules (v, gf)
This is the perfect winter cocktail for those of us who don’t drink alcohol, but still want to participate in the celebratory ritual of clinking glasses and toasting with something special and delicious.
Pear Cranberry Chai (v, gf)
This cozy chai is brewed with the addition of pears and cranberries, which takes the flavor to the next level. Simply put, it’s the best chai we’ve ever had.
H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S ! ! !
The post Favorite Plant-Based Holiday Recipes appeared first on Golubka Kitchen.

Easy Vegan Mashed Potatoes. Serve with gravy as a side. Fluffy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. Saucepan option Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free Nut-free Recipe. Can be oil-free.
Mashed Potatoes don’t need an introduction. They are used is many cuisines in many different ways. These are basic mashed potatoes that you can amp up to preference. Potatoes are cooked in an Instant Pot or Saucepan along with raw garlic, drained and mixed with coconut milk to add the creaminess, some herbs and spices and whipped up. These Garlic Mashed potatoes are simple, quick and amazing!
Serve these as you wish with a simple mushroom free gravy or a mushroom gravy. What are your favorite additions to mashed potatoes! Continue reading: Easy Vegan Mashed Potatoes – Instant Pot or SaucepanThe post Easy Vegan Mashed Potatoes – Instant Pot or Saucepan appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Hey guess what, we just got married! In a beautiful greenhouse in Rosendal’s Garden in Stockholm, surrounded by our closest family and friends (+ ALL their kids) and accompanied by live jazz music and gorgeous food. Even though I proposed to Luise in the back of a campervan on New Zealand almost three years ago, we pulled this wedding together - from idea to I do - in less than five weeks. With three young kids, constantly overflowing mailboxes and an unhealthy always-need-to-be-in-control tendency, we realized that if we don’t do a quick and spontaneous wedding we probably won’t get hitched until we are retired. So instead of our dream wedding going on for three days and nights in the Italian country side, we aimed for an informal and cosy autumn gathering in one of our favorite Stockholm locations. It turned out so much better than we could ever have hoped for and we are now officially mr and mrs.
We let the chefs at Rosendal take care of all the food (which was a huge relief). Our only instructions for the lunch buffet (lunch is much easier if you want friends with kids to attend) was that we wanted hearty salads and food roughly in line with our own philosophy. Typically, we didn’t get any photos of the whole buffet table, but there were roasted vegetables, butter tossed potato and chanterelles, slaw with pickled mustard seeds, hummus, sourdough bread, sauerkraut, a goat’s cheese salad with shredded beets, herb sauces and lots and lots of cake. All seasonal and local, pretty decorated with fruit and flowers. And so good!
Another salad that they prepared was made with roasted pumpkin, cavolo nero and buckwheat and we have recreated our own version of it here below. We never got the exact recipe from the chef so this is a pretty loose interpretation of how we remembered it (after a couple of glasses of champagne). We are sharing that today along with a few snaps that David’s sister took at the wedding. Forget everything I’ve previously stated about marriage. This was fun! And I feel damn fortunate to marry the most beautiful woman I know.
Lots of love from us!
The kids were more interested in the fireplace than the camera ...
These two guys were so good! Send me an email if you need Chet Baker-style jazz musicians in Stockholm and I’ll forward their contact info.
This is a gorgeous and rustic recipe perfect for this season. It would also be ideal for Christmas, maybe with some cinnamon added to the dressing. One of the things we really love about this is that you don’t need to peel the pumpkin (which always is a hassle), just cut into wedges and you can even keep the seeds on. Some of the seeds might get a little burnt but the one hanging on to the slices add a nice crunch. We cover the pumpkin wedges in dressing both before and after roasting to give them a delicious coating.
Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Cavolo Nero & Buckwheat
Serves 4
1 Hokkaido squash, Kent pumpkin or other small winter squash/­­pumpkin variety
200 g /­­ 4 cups dinosaur kale (cavolo nero) or regular kale, thick stems removed
1 cup /­­ 250 ml /­­ 170 g raw buckwheat groats, rinsed
Dressing
125 ml /­­ 1/­­2 cup olive oil
3 tbsp maple syrup
1-2 lemons, juice + zest
1 cm /­­ 1/­­2 inch fresh ginger, finely grated
Sea salt & pepper
To serve
Pomegranate seeds
1/­­2 cup /­­ 75 g toasted pumpkin seeds
1/­­2 cup /­­ 150 g feta cheese
Set the oven to 200°C /­­ 400°F fan mode. Divide the pumpkin in half and then cut it into wedges. Leave any seeds that are hanging on to the wedges and discard the rest. Stir together the dressing, taste and adjust the flavors. Pour about half of it in a bowl and toss the pumpkin slices in it (keep the remaining dressing in the bowl). Place on a baking tray and roast for about 25-30 minutes. We like it a little burnt towards the edges. When roasted, carefully loosen the wedges from the tray and brush them with the remaining dressing in the bowl.
While the pumpkin is roasting, cook the buckwheat groats in 2 cups water for 7-8 minutes until soft but not mushy. Drain any remaining water and leave to cool off a bit. Add the remaining half of the dressing to a large bowl. Tear the kale leaves into smaller pieces, place in the bowl and use your hands to massage them until they soften up. Add the buckwheat to the bowl and toss so it’s all mixed. Arrange the kale and buckwheat on the tray (or a serving plate) together with the pumpkin wedges. Scatter with pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds and crumbled feta cheese. Enjoy!
Wedding photos by Johanna Frenkel.

Vegan 7 Cup Burfi – 6 Ingredient Diwali Sweet with Chickpea flour and Coconut veganized with almond milk and oil. Easy Traditional Indian Sweet 7 cup cake for Diwali or other festivals. Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free Recipe. Nut-free option
So here’s the deal. This recipe is called 7 cup Cake/­­ Burfi. It has a common (non vegan) recipe that uses 7 cup total ingredients..1 cup besan, 1 cup coconut (shredded), 1 cup milk. 1 cup ghee (clarified butter) and 3 cups sugar with a bit of variation here and there in the amounts , added cashews etc. Yes you read that right. I mean, there is no way these things (with vegan subs) together are not going to make a delicious result.
Those amounts are way out there for me. I use vegan butter for the vegan version and much less of it and less of the sugar as well. The fudge also works well with organic safflower or other neutral oil. Chickpea flour is roasted with a tbsp of oil,, then the coconut, sugar and milk are mixed in. The mixture is cooked to caramelize the sugar a bit. Cardamom adds the amazing flavor. These burfis are easier than many of the other burfis(I am looking at your mysore pak).
Try these easy Sweet burfi bars with chickpea flour, cardamom, coconut and love. This week is all about the festive season in the house. Cooking up Indian food, snacks and desserts. It finally feels like Diwali! Continue reading: Vegan 7 Cup Burfi – Chickpea flour and Coconut FudgeThe post Vegan 7 Cup Burfi – Chickpea flour and Coconut Fudge appeared first on Vegan Richa.

The quick and easy sauce in this recipe is made with just three ingredients, but it provides a big bang of flavor as a coating for the lightly fried tofu. When making the sauce, mix in the sriracha a little at a time and taste as go, to be sure turns out at the heat level you prefer. I like to serve this Big Bang Tofu over rice or quinoa with sautéed greens on the side. The sauce also makes a great dip for roasted cauliflower florets.
Big Bang Tofu
- 1/­­3 cup Asian sweet chili sauce
- 1/­­3 cup vegan mayonnaise ((I like Just Mayo))
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 14 to 16 ounces extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon safflower oil or other neutral oil
- In a small bowl, combine the chili sauce, mayonnaise, and sriracha. Mix well until thoroughly blended. Set aside.
- Cut the tofu into 1/­­2-inch dice and place in a bowl. Sprinkle with the cornstarch and salt and pepper to taste and toss to coat the tofu.
- Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and stir-fry until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Toss the tofu with the reserved sauce and serve hot.
Recipe from MORE Quick-Fix Vegan by Robin Robertson (C) 2014, Andrews McMeel Publishing.
The post Big Bang Tofu appeared first on Robin Robertson.

We’ve got a small, square shaped wooden table with three chairs + a highchair in our kitchen. I bought the table when I moved to my first 1-bedroom apartment and it was perfect for that tiny space. Back then I only had two chairs and the table mostly carried pasta dishes and red wine glasses. Eighteen years, four apartments and three children later, we still eat most our meals on it. It is honestly not very pretty and its wine stains are now mixed with blueberries, turmeric, coconut and all the stains, smudges and scratches that come from years of feeding babies. Because it is square shaped and we are five in the family, Luise or I end up either eating our meals standing up or snugged on an extra chair on a corner. Its a small but pretty striking symbol that:
A) I am too sentimental about my furniture.
B) We werent entirely prepared for how life with three children would be.
I wrote a little text on Instagram about this. That behind glossy photos of food, travels and a kitchen that on good days looks picture perfect, we are still trying to figure out life. And find somewhere to sit. The plan is to get a round table that hopefully both will fit into the kitchen and have seats for the entire family. But until then, I’ll keep eating standing up.
I first shared this recipe/­­method about a week ago on Instagram stories (hence the poor image quality above) and judging from the number of direct messages in my inbox, I thought I’d post an more outlined version here as well. We cannot get enough of tray bake dinners in our family. They are simply one of the easiest and most delicious weekday solutions we know and this recipe represents much of what we love about food. Easy to make, easy to like, easy to adapt. It combines warm and cold and sweet and savory. It is vegetable centered, comforting and leaves a minimum of dishes. And the kids like it too.
Our twist is that we add lots of fresh ingredients to the tray once it’s ready in the oven; yogurt, pesto, lettuce, spinach, black beans and pomegranate seeds. They add texture and make it feel more like a proper meal. Some days we act like adults and put plates on the table. Other days we just stick the kids a fork each and we all eat from the same tray (sorry mum!).
Weve shared the recipe exactly as we made it last week but weve also included a list of variations below the recipe. So don’t get hung up on any specific ingredients, simply use this more as a starting point. The important thing in this recipe is the combination of roasted ingredients + fresh veggies + fruit + something creamy. I hope you give it a try.
All-in-One Veggie Tray
We wrote a similar recipe for the September issue of Jamie Magazine. We added raw spiralized vegetables (makes it even prettier!) and halloumi instead of yogurt. We add kale and Brussels sprouts midway through roasting since they need less time. The goal is that they will be perfectly crunchy at the same time as the other vegetables are ready. It can be a little tricky to time it right on your first try but second time around you usually get the hang of it.
Warm ingredients
1 kg /­­ 2 lbs potatoes
3-4 carrots, peeled
1 broccoli
250 g /­­ 1/­­2 lb Brussels sprouts
3-4 large kale leaves
olive oil
Cold ingredients
2 handfuls baby spinach
1 avocado
1 cup cooked black beans
yogurt
pesto (you can thin it out with a little olive oil)
lemon
Cut potato, carrots and broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Add to a large tray and drizzle with oil and salt. Bake at 200°C /­­ 400°F for approx. 15-20 minutes. Cut the Brussels sprouts in halves. Trim off the thick stalks from the kale and tear the leaves into smaller pieces. Drizzle with oil and salt, add to the tray and bake for 10-15 minutes more or so. The vegetables are ready when they are golden and tender and the kale chips are crunchy.
Scatter baby spinach, sliced (or mashed) avocado, black beans, dollops of yogurt and pesto evenly over the vegetables. Squeeze over a little lemon and drizzle with oil. Dig in!
Variations
Roasted ingredients: Carrots /­­ Broccoli /­­ Cauliflower /­­ Cabbage /­­ Sweet potato /­­ Bell pepper /­­ Brussels Sprouts /­­ Kale /­­ Potatoes /­­ Parsnip /­­ Beetroot
Fresh ingredients: Lettuce /­­ Aragula /­­ Spinach /­­ Avocado /­­ Cucumber /­­ Cherry Tomatoes /­­ Spiralized Carrots, Beetroot or Zucchini
Fruit: Apple /­­ Orange /­­ Pear /­­ Pomegranate Seeds /­­ Grapes
Sauce: Yogurt /­­ Tahini /­­ Pesto /­­ Romesco /­­ Hummus /­­ Dijon Vinaigrette /­­ Coleslaw
Extra: Nuts /­­ Seeds /­­ Beans /­­ Boiled eggs /­­ Halloumi cheese /­­ Feta Cheese /­­ Goat’s Cheese